Open Government Licence Guidance for users

This guidance explains how the Open Government Licence (OGL) works for users.

The OGL is a simple set of terms and conditions under which information providers in the public sector can license the use and re-use of their information. Provided that you comply with the terms you have permission to use information anywhere in the world. The licence is also non-exclusive which means that you will not be the only person able to make use of it. The Open Government Licence enables you to use information for both commercial and non-commercial purposes.

Using information under the OGL

There is no need to register or formally apply for the OGL and no charges or fees are involved for using information under the licence. Users simply need to ensure that their use of information complies with the terms.

What information can I use under the OGL?

If you come across an information resource that says it is made available under an OGL, you are authorised by the information provider to use it consistent with those licence terms. Much of this information will be accessible on public sector web sites, online portals or printed publications.

For more detailed information about the scope of Crown copyright and database rights offered under the OGL please see the UK Government Licensing Framework.

Is there information I cannot use under the OGL?

You cannot use information which has not been offered for use expressly under the OGL. You will need to contact the relevant rights owner of the information if no licence or re-use details are given.

The OGL has been developed to allow the use of as much information as possible, however, there are certain types information it does not cover. These are:

- information which includes personal data, for example, the names and addresses of individuals
- information which has neither been published nor disclosed under information access legislation (including the Freedom of Information Acts for the UK and Scotland) by or with the consent of the information provider • logos which identify a government departmental or a public sector organisation, Coats of Arms or Crests, and the Royal Arms, unless they form an integral part of a dataset or document (and are shown accurately in their context in that dataset or document • military insignia • third party rights the information provider is not authorised to license • information subject to other intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and design rights • identity documents such as the British Passport.

How can I use information licensed under the OGL?

Information made available under the OGL can be used both commercially and non-commercially. This includes but is not limited to using the information in print, on the internet or in a mobile application.

You are also able to use information licensed under the OGL with information from other sources which has been licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence or Open Data Commons Attribution Licence.

However, when using information under the OGL, you must:

• make sure that your use of the information does not in any way suggest that your product or service has any official status or is endorsed by an information provider (for example: Elsewhere County Council recommends A.N. Office Supplies for all their stationery requirements) • make sure you acknowledge the source of the information by including any attribution statement suggested by the owner or author of the information and, where possible, provide a link to this OGL

Attributions and acknowledgments

Attribution

The OGL requires you to acknowledge the information provider and/or source of the information with and attribution statement. Attribution statements usually include the title of the information resource, if applicable, its owner and/or creator and the date it was published or created. Where possible, you should also provide a link to the information used, if it is available online, and to the OGL.

Information providers are advised to specify an attribution statement for users where they offer information under the OGL. However, if the information provider has not specified a particular attribution statement this does not mean that you do not have to provide and attribution statement. It means that you will have to give attribution to the best of your ability with the information you do have. If the information contains any copyright or database right notices, you must leave those notices intact.

Multiple attributions

If you are using information from several information providers and it is not practical to list all sources and attributions prominently, you must maintain a record or list of sources and attributions in another file and include a URL or hyperlink to that resource. This means that all sources and rights owners are acknowledged properly and there is a clear trail of provenance should anyone ask.

You should also provide a link back to or the OGL URL where possible.

**Why is an attribution statement necessary?**

An attribution statement identifies the name, creator, and date of the information, and acknowledges them appropriately. It also means it can be identified and accessed easily by others wishing to use the same information. The attribution statement demonstrates further the source of the information and its use under the OGL.

**Example attribution statements**

Example 1: Standard publication acknowledgement

[Insert title, author department/organisation, year of publication, any applicable copyright or database right notice]. This information is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence).

Example 2: If document accessed through a website

[Insert title, author department/organisation, year of publication, any applicable copyright or database right notice]. This information is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence. (www.department.gov.uk/document, accessed DD/MM/YY).